World of Another

Imagine creating a ballet without ever stepping into the studio. Verb Ballets commissioned a new company work this season from award winning choreographer, Stephanie Martinez. Using a computer and a wide-angle GoPro camera to enable full viewing of the studio, a ballet was created. With over eleven years of award-winning works, Chicago-based choreographer Stephanie Martinez has moved her audiences along a journey guided by kinetic momentum. The world premiere, World of Another, is marked by a versatility that expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet movement. We sat down with her via Zoom to talk about the process of creating her newest commission on Verb debuting May 14, 2021.

Contemporary Creations: May 14, 2021

Performance available to stream 48hours

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Photos: Kolman Rosenberg

Stephanie Martinez

With over 30 years professional performing experience, Stephanie Martinez has danced for Amaranth Dance Company, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Concert Dance, Inc, Same Planet/Different World Dance Theater and Dance Chicago amongst many others. In 2009, her choreographic debut, AviMar for Luna Negra Dance Theater instantly secured her status as a sought-after dancemaker.

Over eleven years of award-winning choreography, Stephanie moves her audiences along a journey guided by the kinetic momentum of her work. With original creations for Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Charlotte Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, and National Choreographers Initiative among others, Martinez’s versatility expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet movement. Martinez has created over 60 ballets on companies and collegiate programs across the country.

In 2015, Martinez was awarded Joffrey Ballet’s “Winning Works: Choreographers of Color” commission and the Chicago 3Arts Award in recognition for her work as a female artist of color. More recently, Martinez was awarded an NEA grant for her premiere of Bliss! with Joffrey Ballet. Dubbed “a chameleon” of choreography by the Chicago Tribune, Martinez’s psychologically revelatory works challenge the viewer’s notion of what’s possible.

Stephanie Martinez is the founder and artistic director of Chicago-based repertory company PARA.MAR Dance Theatre. Founded in July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. PARA.MAR was created together, with, and for diversity and access to excellence in contemporary dance – created, curated y hecho en Chicago.